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Command

Chapter XII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/101 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.
It is not extraordinary that she should have been fond of reading.
Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.
For without having in any degree an original imagination she had a very lively one.
The people in books were quite as real to her as the people around her.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Command

Chapter XII

Reading 1/101 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.
Line 2
It is not extraordinary that she should have been fond of reading.
Line 3
Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.
Line 4
For without having in any degree an original imagination she had a very lively one.
Line 5
The people in books were quite as real to her as the people around her.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.”

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.”

Ancient adjective US /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading “Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “The people in books were quite as real to her as the people around her.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It is not extraordinary that she should have been fond of reading.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.”

Books noun US /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading “The people in books were quite as real to her as the people around her.”

Born noun US /born/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.”

Deserted verb US /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/

left a place or vessel without intending to return

From this reading “Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.”

Distant adjective US /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading “Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “It is not extraordinary that she should have been fond of reading.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “For without having in any degree an original imagination she had a very lively one.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “For without having in any degree an original imagination she had a very lively one.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The people in books were quite as real to her as the people around her.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.”

Whenever conjunction US /weˈnevər/

at any time that; every time that

From this reading “Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “For without having in any degree an original imagination she had a very lively one.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.”

All words in this reading · 103

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

actual

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

Alice

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading For without having in any degree an original imagination she had a very lively one.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

any

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For without having in any degree an original imagination she had a very lively one.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The people in books were quite as real to her as the people around her.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The people in books were quite as real to her as the people around her.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It is not extraordinary that she should have been fond of reading.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

book

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading The people in books were quite as real to her as the people around her.

bornnounUS /born/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

brief

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

Chalcidice

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

Court

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

Dainopoulos

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

degree

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For without having in any degree an original imagination she had a very lively one.

desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/

left a place or vessel without intending to return

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

divine

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

extraordinary

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is not extraordinary that she should have been fond of reading.

eyes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

fiction

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

figures

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

fond

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is not extraordinary that she should have been fond of reading.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

gathered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

gentle

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

gods

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

gracious

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

Gulf

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading For without having in any degree an original imagination she had a very lively one.

hang

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It is not extraordinary that she should have been fond of reading.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading For without having in any degree an original imagination she had a very lively one.

heavily

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

imagination

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For without having in any degree an original imagination she had a very lively one.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It is not extraordinary that she should have been fond of reading.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is not extraordinary that she should have been fond of reading.

lay

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

lived

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

lively

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For without having in any degree an original imagination she had a very lively one.

lives

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

looking

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

most

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

Mrs

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It is not extraordinary that she should have been fond of reading.

occasionally

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It is not extraordinary that she should have been fond of reading.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading For without having in any degree an original imagination she had a very lively one.

only

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

opiate

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

original

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For without having in any degree an original imagination she had a very lively one.

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

pain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

people

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The people in books were quite as real to her as the people around her.

plaid

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The people in books were quite as real to her as the people around her.

raised

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

ravines

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

reading

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is not extraordinary that she should have been fond of reading.

real

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The people in books were quite as real to her as the people around her.

Road

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

rug

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

Scotch

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

sentimental

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It is not extraordinary that she should have been fond of reading.

silent

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

sofa

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

Suffering

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

summits

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From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

sunlit

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is not extraordinary that she should have been fond of reading.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

theatre

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

Thessaly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

Thompson

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The people in books were quite as real to her as the people around her.

Tottenham

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

very

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For without having in any degree an original imagination she had a very lively one.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

wheneverconjunctionUS /weˈnevər/

at any time that; every time that

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

whereby

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mrs. Dainopoulos, who was born Alice Thompson, lay on her Tottenham Court Road sofa with a Scotch plaid rug over her, looking out across the sunlit Gulf whenever she raised her eyes from her book.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading For without having in any degree an original imagination she had a very lively one.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Suffering actual pain only occasionally, she would have found time hang most heavily but for this divine opiate, whereby the gentle and gracious figures of sentimental fiction were gathered about her and lived out their brief lives in that deserted theatre of the ancient gods, between the silent ravines of the Chalcidice and the distant summits of Thessaly.